Friction shock absorbing mechanism



\March 2, 1937.- b

R. OLANDER y FRICTION SHOCK ABSORBING `MECHNISM Filed June. l2, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Faq.;

'aff

Patented Mar. 2,V 1937 UNITED STATES FTE PATENT Roland il. Olander, Chicago, Ill., assignor to W. lHI.

Miner, Inc., Chicago,-Il l., a corporation of Deia'- Ware AApplication June 12, 1936, Serial No. 84,921

12 Claims.

. This invention relates to improvements in fric` 15 Wedge to produce lhigh frictional capacity and the remainder of said shoes Ahaving blunt angle Wedging engagement with the wedge to facilitate easy release when the actuating force is reduced, and wherein the releasing' action of the clutch is positively effected Aby forcibly'disengagjing the wedge from the keen angle 'shoes by, ex-

erting an outward pressure thereon throughv the blunt angle shoes independently of the keen shoes. ,l

- Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings forming a part of this specication, Figure 1 is a horizontal, longitudinal, sectional view through the underframe structure at one end of a railway car, illustrating my improved friction shock absorbing mechanism in connection therewith, the section through said friction shock absorbing mechanism corresponding substantially to the line I-I of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a front elevational View of the shock `absorbing mechanism as indicated by the arrows 2-2 of Figure 1. Figures 3 and 4 are transverse, vertical, sectional viewscorresponding respectively to the lines 3-3 and 4-4 of Figure 1.

In said drawings, IIl--Ill indicate channelshaped center or draft sills of a railway car underframe having the usual front and rear stop lugs II-II ./and I2--QI2 secured to the inner sides thereof. The inner end portion of the shankof the standard coupler is indicated by I3 anda hooded yoke I4, of well-known type, is operatively connected to the coupler shank. My

improved friction shock absorbing mechanism and a front main follower I5 are disposed within the yoke. The yoke I4 is slidingly supported on a saddle plate I6 secured to the bottom flanges of the draft sills III-I0.

My improved friction shock absorbing mechanism comprises broadly a friction casing A; a

wedge block B; three friction shoes C-C-C hav- (Cl.v 213-32) ing keen angle wedging engagement with the wedge block; three friction shoes D-"D-D having relatively blunter angle wedging engagement with the wedge block; a spring follower E cooperating with the blunt angle shoes; spring -re- 5 sistance members F and G opposing inward movement of the shoes C-C-C and D-D-D, respectively; and a retainer bolt H.

The friction casing A, which is preferably in the form of a steel'casting, is of substantially -10 hexagonal cross section, open at the front end and having a transverse, vertical end wall l1 closing the rear end thereof.l The wall Il is extended laterally beyond the side walls of the casing, thereby providing flanges Iii-I8. The rear wall Il, together with the anges I8--I8 thereof, forms, in effect, a follower which is integral with the casing and cooperates with the rear stop lugs I2--I2 in the manner of the usual rear follo-wer. The iianges I8-I8 are preferably reenforced by webs IS-IS which are integral with the side walls of the casing A and said flanges I8--I8. At the forwardend of the casing A, the I walls thereof are thickened,- as clearly shown in Figure l, the thickened wall portions presenting six substantially fiat, interior surfaces 2li-20 which vconverge inwardly of the mechanism. The flat surfaces 2li- 20 merge with curved surfaces 2I--2I which connect the adjacent fiat surfaces. The surfaces 20, together withthe surfaces 2l, present a tapered friction shell section of substantially hexagonal cross section, presenting six interior friction surfaces of substantially V- shaped cross section,` each V-shaped friction surface being formed by the adjacent end sections of two of the fiat surfaces 2li- 20.

The wedge B is in the form of a block having a transverse front end face 22 bearing on the inner side of the front follower I5. The block B is in th'e' form of a truncated pyramid having six inwardly converging fiat, wedge faces 23-23-23 and 24-24-24, arranged symmetrically about the axis of thek mechanism, the faces 23 being alternated with the faces 24, as most clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3. The faces 23-23-23 are preferably disposed at a keener angle with respect' to the longitudinal axis of the mechanism than the faces`24- 24-24. The arrangement of the faces 23-23--23 and 24-2t- 24 is such that the faces 23 are inclined at substantially keen wedging angles and the faces 24 at substantially blunt releasing angles with respect to said longitudinal axis. The wedge block B is so disposed "that the wedge faces thereof are respectively opposed tothe apexes of the V-shaped friction surfaces of the casing A.

'I'he six friction shoes C-C-C and D-D-D are all of similar design except as hereinafter pointed out. Each shoe has an outer friction surface 25 of substantially V-shaped'cross section fitting one of the V-shaped friction surfaces of the casing A and correspondingly in clined thereto. On the inner side, each shoe is laterally enlarged as indicated at 26, said enlarged portion being provided with a wedge face cooperating with one of the wedge faces of the block B. The wedge faces of the shoes C--C-C are indicated by 21- 2'I-21, while the wedge faces of the shoes D-D--D are indicated by 28.-2828. The shoes C-C-C are alternated with the shoes D-D-D, tlie wedge faces 21-21-21 of the shoes C--C-C engaging with and being correspondingly inclined to the wedge faces 23-'23-23 of the block B and the wedge faces 28-28-28 of the shoes D-D--D being correspondingly inclined to and engaging with the wedge faces 24-24-24 of said block. In other words, the shoes C-G-C'present wedge faces which have wedging engagement with the block at a substantially keen wedging angle and the shoes D-D-D present wedge faces which have engagement withthe block on a substantially blunt releasing angle. At the inner end each shoe D is provided with a wedge face 29 valso disposed at a relatively blunt angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mechanism.

The spring 'follower `E is in the form of a block and is provided with three wedge faces 30-30-30 at the forward side thereof disposed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the mechanism and engaging respectively the wedge faces 29--29-29 of the three shoes D-D-D.

The spring resistance members F and G are disposed lwithin the casing A. Each member is,

preferably in the form of a coil spring, the member G' being lighter thanlthe member F and disposed within the latter. The outer coil F is interposed between the rear end of the casing and 'the inner ends of the shoes C-C-C and has its front and rear ends bearing respectively directly Qhsaid shoes and the end wall I1-. The coil F is held centered by a hollow boss 3| on the end wall I1 engaging within the rear end of said coil. The

coll G is disposed between vthe rear vend of the casing and the shoes D-D-D and has its front end bearing on ,the spring follower block E which is interposed between said coil and the friction i shoes D-D-.-D. Therear end of the coil G bears l sa Yblock; E and the wedge blockB. .The bolt H is anchred to the wedge block -B by a nut 3l threaded on the outer end thereof and accommodated in a pocket 35 provided in the outer ends" of the wedge block B in full release is limited by portion of saidY block, the nut having shouldered engagement with ythe inner end wall of said form overall length A sion.

pocket to limit outward movement of thggwedge.

. In addition to holding the mechanism assembled,

the bolt H serves tomaintain the parts of uniand under initial compres- Thel operation of my. improved friction shock tion casing A is pulled outwardly therewith by means of the yoke I4 which is connected to the coupler. During this action, the wedge block B is held stationary by engagement with the front follower, the latter being held against outward movement by the front stop lugs I I-I I. During inward movementof the coupler in buff, the front follower I5 is forced rearwardly, carrying the wedge block B therewith, wl'iile the casing A" and G. The shoes are spread apart by this.

wedging action of the block B, thereby forcing the former into tight frictional contact with the friction surfaces of the casing. Inasmuch as the spring F opposes movement of the shoes C-C-C only and the spring G opposes movement of the shoes D-DfD independently of the spring F, all of the shoes are constantly maintained in tight frictional contact with the friction surfaces of the casing A throughout the compression stroke of the mechanism, thereby assuring eilicient operation of the device. As `the clutch or friction unit comprising the wedge B and the shoes C-C-C and D--D-D is moved inwardly along the friction surfaces of the casing A, the clutch or friction unit is contracted circumferentially due to the converging arrangement of the friction surfaces of the casing, thereby causing the. unit to be elongated and effecting additional compression of the springs F and G, the wedge faces of the shoes slipping on the wedge faces of the block B. During this contraction of the friction clutch. or unit, the spring follower block thev load and prevent unduel compression of the springs Fand G.

In release of the mechanism, when the actuatingforce is reduced, the spring resistance members F and G force the friction clutch or unit,. comprising the shoes C-C--C and D-D-D .and

the wedge block B, outwardly of the casing, the releasing action being initiated by the shoes D-D-D which, due to their blunt angle engagement with the wedge block B, are readily releas 8251; spring G, which acts on the shoes D'-D-D alone, thr'o'ugh the medium of the spring follower, forces these shoes outwardly of the casing, carrying the wedge block therewith and freeing the latter from the shoes C-C--C, thus effecting complete release of -the friction unit. Outward movement Asvthe releasing action is initiated, 'the and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Iclaim:

' 1.`In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a column member having friction surfaces; of a wedge member having wedge faces, certain of said faces being disposed at keen wedging angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mechanism and others of said faces being disposed at relatively blunter releasing angles with respect to said axis ;s friction shoes having sliding frictional engagement with said column member, certain of said shoes having Wedge faces disposed at a keen angle with respect to said longitudinal axis engaging the keen interiorfriction surfaces extending lengthwise therof; of a plurality of friction shoes slidable lengthwise on said surfaces; a wedge block havving wedging engagement with said shoes, the wedging engagement between said wedge and certain of said shoes being. at an angle which is blunter"than the angle of engagement between said wedge andthe remaining shoes; spring means opposing inward movement of said remaininlg shoes; and additional spring means faces of the wedge and others of said shoes havthe combination with a column member having longitudinally disposed lfriction surfaces; of a 1friction clutch unit having sliding frictional engagement with said surfaces, said unit including a. wedge member and cooperating shoes, said wedge member having wedging engagement with certain of said shoes at an angle which is blunter with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mechanism than the angle of engagement between said wedge and the remaining shoes; spring means yieldingly opposing movement of said last named shoes; andv additional spring means opposing movement of the shoes having blunt angle engagement with said wedge member.

3. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination'with a column member having longitudinally disposed friction surfaces inclined to the longitudinal axis of the mechanism; of a* friction clutch unit having sliding frictional engagement lengthwise of said surfaces, said unit including a Wedge member, friction shoes, and

a spring follower block,-said wedge having keen angle wedging engagement with certain of Asaid shoes, and relatively blunter angle wedging engagement with thel remaining shoes, and said spring follower having wedging engagement with said remaining shoes only; a spring opposing movement of the shoes which have keen wedging lengagement with the wedgemember; and an additional spring opposing movement of said spring follower and the shoes engaged thereby. 4

4. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism,

the combination with a column member having longitudinally disposed friction surfaces inclined to the longitudinal axis of the mechanism; of a plurality of friction shoes having sliding frictional engagement with said friction surfaces;l a`

wedge member, said wedge member and certain of said shoes having engaging wedge faces disposed longitudinal axis of the mechanism,y s aid wedge and the remaining shoes having engaging faces at a relatively keen angle with respect to the disposed at a relatively blunter. angle with re-v yspect to said axis; -a spring follower having wedg- 65 ing engagement with said remaining shoes only, 'the angles of wedging engagement between said spring follower and shoes being relatively blunter with respect t said longitudinal 'axis than said keerr angle wedge faces-of said wedge member; a spring yieldingly opposing movement of said spring follower; rand -a spring'op-posing movement of the shoes having `keen angle wedging engage- 7g the combination with a .friction casing having yieldingly opposing inward movement of said shoes which have engagement with the wedge at said blunter angle. A g

6. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with av friction casing having interior, inwardly converging, friction surfaces; of two sets of shoes having sliding frictional engagement with the friction surfaces of the casing, the shoes of one of said sets having wedge faces disposed at a relatively keen wedging anglewith respect 4to the longitudinal axis of the mechanism, and the shoes of the other set having wedge faces disposed at a relatively blunter releasing angle withrespect to said axis; a wedge block having wedge faces respectively engaging the wedge faces of the shoes; a spring follower -having wedging Cengagement with said shoes only which have the blunt wedge faces; a spring yieldingly resisting movement of said spring follower; and an additional spring yleldingly resisting movement of said shoes having the keen wedge faces.

'7.Y In a friction. shock Iabsorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction casing having in- '.wardly converging, interior friction surfaces; of a friction clutch cooperating with the casing, said clutch including a wedge block. two sets of friction shoes, and a spring follower, the shoes of one leasing angle'with respect to. said axis; a spring yieldingly opposing movement of said keen wedge shoes inwardly of the casing; and a spring yieldl ingly opposing inward movement of said spring follower.

7 the combination with a friction casing; of a wedge block; a plurality of friction shoes ar- 4ranged about said block; alternate shoes having wedging engagement with the block at relatively 8. In a friction vshock absorbing mechanism,Y

keen angles with respect to the longitudinal axis.

of the mechanism, the remaining shoes having engagement 'with said block at relatively blunter releasing angles with respect to said axis; a spring opposing movement .of said keen angle shoes in- \wardly of the casing: and an additional spring yieldingly opposing `inward movement of said blunt angle shoes only.

9. In. Yaya-friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction casing; of two sets of friction 'shoes having frictional sliding engagement with the casing, the `shoesof one set being alternated with the shoes of the other slet; a wedge block having wedgingengagement with the shoes of both sets, the wedging engagementvbetween'said wedge and the shoes of one of said sets being at a keener angle with respect t0 the longitudinal axis of the mechanism than the angle of engagement'between said Wedge and the shoes of the other set; a spring yieldingly opposing movement of one of said sets of shoes only, inwardly of the casing; and an additional spring resistance yieldingly opposing movement of the other of said sets only, inwardly of said casing.

10. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction casing; of six friction shoes having sliding frictional engagement with the casing, said shoes comprising ltwo Sets of three shoes each, the shoes of one set being alternated with the shoes of the other set; a spring yleldingly resisting movement of the v shoes of one set only; a second spring yieldingly resisting movement of the shoes of the other set only; and a wedge block having wedging engagement with all of said shoes, the angles of wedging engagement of said wedge and one of said sets of shoes being keener than the angle of engagement thereof with the shoes of the other Set.

ll. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction casing having llongitudinally disposed, inwardly converging, in-

only, the angles of engagement between said spring follower and the set of shoes engaged thereby and between said last named shoes and the wedge being blunter with respect to the 1ongitudnal axis of the mechanism than the angles of engagement between said Wedge and the other set of shoes; spring resistance means yieldingly opposing inward movement of the spring follower;

and additional spring resistance means opposing l inward movement of said last named shoes only. 12. In a fn'ction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction casing having longitudinally disposed, inwardly converging, in-

.engagement with the shoes of the other set; a-

terior friction surfaces; of six friction shoes within the casing disposed symmetrically about `the axis thereof, said shoes comprising two sets of three shoes each, 'the shoes of one set being alternated with the shoes of the other set; a spring yieldingly resisting inward movement oi' the shoes of one set; a spring follower in wedging second spring yieldingly opposing inward movement of said spring follower; and a wedge block having wedging engagement with the shoes of both sets, theangle of wedging engagement between said spring follower and the shoes of the set engaged thereby and between said last named shoes and said wedge block being at a blunter angle with respect to the .longitudinal axis of the mechanism than the angle of wedging engagement between said block and the shoes of the other set.

' ROLAND J. OLANDER. 

